Didi Offers Free Rides for Vaccinations with $10M Fund

With global coronavirus vaccination programs being prepared, technology businesses are actively demonstrating their commitment to assisting in the fight against this serious virus. Didi Chuxing, the leading ride-hailing service in China, has announced a $10 million fund to bolster COVID-19 vaccination initiatives in 13 international markets, the company stated on Friday.

This versatile fund will be utilized to lower fares for individuals traveling to and from vaccination appointments, as well as for healthcare professionals commuting to vaccination sites. Didi also indicated it will support additional measures tailored to the specific requirements of each market, and will continue to collaborate with relevant governmental bodies.

The precise method for distributing these funds across the numerous markets – including Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Argentina, Australia, Japan, Russia, and New Zealand – remains to be determined.

A company representative explained, “Further details regarding local implementation will be shared as vaccination campaigns progress and our localized support strategies are finalized.”

Similar to other technology companies, Didi has responded quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing various forms of assistance. To date, the company reports having financed over six million complimentary or reduced-price rides and meals for frontline healthcare workers, and has distributed more than six million masks and hygiene kits to its driver and courier partners in international locations.

Within China, the ride-hailing company has implemented comparable measures, including financial support such as insurance coverage for drivers who test positive for the virus or are required to quarantine.

“This vaccination support program represents a vital component of our broader recovery efforts worldwide,” stated Jean Liu, President of Didi.

“The remarkable dedication and responsiveness of Didi’s teams, combined with a safety infrastructure designed for intricate mobility situations, are essential in safeguarding our personnel and maintaining crucial services during these challenging circumstances. We remain dedicated to supporting our partners and communities in revitalizing our cities.”

To prioritize the well-being of both passengers and drivers, the company introduced mask detection technology last year for in-car cameras in China and select overseas markets.

The company, which is supported by SoftBank, experienced setbacks when it temporarily suspended its popular carpooling service following two incidents involving passengers in 2018. Despite this, Didi continues to be one of China’s most highly valued private technology companies, and speculation regarding a potential initial public offering has persisted for several years, though the company has denied these reports.

Overall, Didi has amassed a user base exceeding 550 million across the Asia Pacific region, Latin America, and Russia, offering services such as taxi hailing, private car hailing, ridesharing, buses, bicycles, and electric bikes, and facilitating more than 10 billion passenger trips annually. Outside of China, the platform serves over 20 million users and 2.8 million drivers and couriers.

The company also has an emerging autonomous driving division, backed by SoftBank, and is actively involved in the development and testing of self-driving vehicles alongside other innovative Chinese AI companies. Furthermore, Didi is collaborating with BYD, a leading Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, to jointly design a vehicle specifically for ride-hailing services.

This article was updated on January 22, 2021, to include additional details about the fund.